Acrobat Reader application error: "The memory could not be read."

[MM0349876RT]

I use a PC with Windows 7, and I'm using Adobe Reader version 15. Yesterday I was prompted to install an Adobe Reader update, which I did. Today, when I tried to open and print a PDF file, I got a message that said: "AcroRd32.exe -- Application Error. The instruction at 0x518f525c referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be read. Click on OK to terminate the program." I then tried to open other PDF files that I'd successfully opened as recently as last week, and I'm getting the same message for all of them, except that the instruction number (e.g., 0x518f525c) is different each time. After reading earlier posts on this forum, I tried uninstalling and reinstalling Adobe Reader, but the same problem is still occurring. The version of Adobe Reader that is installed is 15.023.20053. I also tried disabling Protected Mode in Adobe Reader, but after I do that and try to reopen Adobe Reader, I get a message saying that the program has stopped running. Please help!

[npcia57834573]

We are facing the same issues today at work, so far 2 users are having this issue when scanning or viewing scanned documents in SAP.  I want to find the prior full version installer so I can go back to the old version for these users but it seems impossible to find old installers!  Not sure what we can do to fix this, very frustrated!

[MM0349876RT · Accepted solution]

I can't explain why this worked, but after reading a similar thread about issues that users have been having with Acrobat Reader since the most recent update, I tried the following, and it seemed to solve the problem for me:

I clicked on the Start icon at the bottom left of the screen.

I right-clicked on the Acrobat Reader DC icon.

I clicked on Properties.

I went to the Compatibility tab.

The box beside "Run this program in compatibility mode for" was checked, and Windows 7 was selected.

Although I'm using Windows 7, I unchecked this box.

I then clicked Apply.

To my surprise, I now seem to be able to open and print PDF files within any difficulty.

[Cliff_Hanger_76]

Thank you. I work at a helpdesk and one of my users has been experiencing this issue all morning, but only when trying to print from within an application which interfaces with Adobe. I first updated, which did not work, so I uninstalled and reinstalled. This worked for a short period, then the issue returned. I then did a system restore, which also worked for a limited time. Your solution has resolved the error for a third time today. Let's hope it's the magic fix.

[debraj77688334]

I am using Windows 8, your suggestion to turn off the compatibility mode worked for me, so far so good.

Thanks for the input.

[hilaryb32572869]

The fix did not work for me. I ticked the Windows 7 box and tried unsuccessfully to open a PDF. I then un-ticked the Windows 7 box but again received the "Memory could not be read" message". Thanks for your help anyway.

[Cliff_Hanger_76]

@hilaryb....Is your problem that you are unable to open a pdf at all?  I would check DEFAULT PROGRAMS,  and ensure .pdf file types are set to open with your preferred application. The AcroRd32.exe error i received only occurred when attempting to print the pdf from within another application.  Btw, no further issues have arisen since i applied the compatibility fix,  confirmed just an hour ago by my EU.

[hilaryb32572869]

Many thanks for your input. I have however not yet solved the problem.

I have gone the "compatibility" route, with Windows 7 v and not v.

A Quick Print from the attachment heading can be done but defeats the object

of saving the attachment directly to a folder.

Default settings have been checked and found to be correct for Adobe Acrobat

Reader DC.

The latest installed version from Adobe (version 15 023.20053 316 MB) was

installed on 2017.01.11. I have done the Repair Installation Errors etc.,

but to no avail.

The following comment from shesanagent seems very relevant:

So, something happened, and I still believe that there is a lingering

issue that we will continue to run in to, until they completely repair the

update issue.

Best regards Hilary

[willie_e]

I have never seen this error before, and I am running a freshly reinstalled Win10. Thanks for the direction though I went the other way. I ran the compatibility trouble shooter and took it's suggestion. I'll run in Win 8 mode now until/if i have further issues to see if the error happens again. Restarting and opening files seem good.

[alisonw97015383]

Have you got any fix for this ?

I am having the same problem on Windows 2010R2 terminal services users.

Get error 0x53cde933  referenced memory at 0x000000000 could not be read.

Interestingly if I open as run as administrator the program opens , I can set  adobe as default pdf app and make changes to enhanced security. But these are not saved. When I open normally the pgm crashes once again.

Got on mutiple servers against new profiles only.

[redouanes9003552]

Dear,

Find solution,

First open Adobe with Windows XP compatible mode then disable protected mode on start up

Edit > Preferences > Security (Enhanced) > Enable Protected Mode at startup.

Maybe we can don it directly by registry.

[Samantha8]

When you say you clicked the "start" icon are you refering to the windows icon? If so, my adobe icon doesn't show up there. Ugh, this is so frustrating. I'd love some advice!

[shesanagent]

I also tried your suggestion and wala!, it worked.  THANK YOU!!!!!

I had posted earlier today for the same thing in another forum and went through the same steps, had the same situations, different message headers and codes.  One thing I tried before today was the compatibility part, but Windows 7 didn't even show up in the list, only Vista SP1.  But, after doing the cleaner and reinstall, and going by your suggestion, Windows 7 was in the list.  So, something happened, and I still believe that there is a lingering issue that we will continue to run in to, until they completely repair the update issue.

[DS-Cabling]

I am running Windows 10. I had this error message given to me when trying to open the program this morning. I stumbled upon this thread when looking for a solution... after reading about MM03's compatibility mode fix I began to wonder if this fix would work reversed. After going into properties for the adobe acrobat program and setting it to run in compatibility mode for windows 7,  I was surprised to see that the program opened and ran normally. I have not had a problem since. Odd right? 

[Andrew38043722e14m · Accepted solution]

Like DS-Cabling I am on windows 10 and had a similar message, but only on closing reader.

I ran the Windows  compatibility checker on the exe file  and it set compatibiltty to Windows 8 and the problem has gone away. Weird!  Possibly a conflict between Acrobat reader and win 10 updates? It has been fine for years.

[Juan-Pierre38674937nfw8]

I would just like to add to this thread.
I'm using Windows 11 and have been plagued with this error for some time. It shows up pretty much every time I open a document. This error has been resolved after setting the compatibility to Windows 8 or 7.

[Jeff of NS]

Same. This fixed the issue for 2 of my users who were having it.